Condenser



G. HILGER March 3l, 1931.

CONDENSER 2 Sheets-Sheefc l Filed Nov.

oaooeoonoo March 31, 1931. G. HILGER 1,798,795

CONDENSER Filed Nov. 18. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 31, 1931 UNITEDy STATES GEORGE HILGER, OF CHICAGQILLINIS CONDENSER Application filed November 1s, 192e. serial No. 407,828.

4The present invention relates to improvef ments in condensers, particularly gas condansers adapted for use in mechanicalrefrig erating systems.

5 Gas condensers may be of various types, but in general may be said to comprist` a wall of heat conducting material presenting relatively extensive surfaces for eufecting the exchange of heat from a medium to be cooled and liquefied to a cooling medium. In inechanical compression refrigeration, the first medium is the refrigerant, and the second medium preferably is cold Water. The refrigerant employed preferably has a low boiling point at ordinary temperatures and a high latent heat value. The most common refrigerants are ammonia, carbon-dioxide, sulphur-dioxide, ethylchloride and methylchloride.

In normal operation, the refrigerant enters the top of the condenser' as a highly superheated gas. The cooling medium is also supplied to the top of the condenser. The suor perheat in the gas thus is rapidly removed 1n the initial or upper part of the condenser.

Thereafter, because of a substantially reduced temperature head the cooling action is sluggish. It has therefore been considered necessary to use condensers of substantial Si) size so as to insure sufficient time and cooling contact to obtain complete liquefaction of the refrigerant. Such condensers have large lazy areas, obviously are cumbersome and take up a large amount of space, and are relatively expensive in construction.

An important object of the present inven tion resides in the provision of a new and improved condenser which is much smaller in size for a given load than has been necessary heretofore to insure complete liquefaction, and yet is eflicient and quick in operation, and which comprises no sluggish or lazy areas but is effective and substantially uniform in y efficiency throughout the extent of the cooling area.

A more specic object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel condenser comprising means for injecting cold butV unliquefied gas from a lower portion and preferably the discharge end of the condenser into the incoming gasso as to remove the super'- heat Without taxing the initial area of the condenser.

Further objects and advantages Will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1l is a fragmentary side elevational vievv, With the inlet manifold in transverse section, of a condenser embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal View, partially in section and taken along line 2-2 of Fig.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. l of a modlh'ed form of the invention. "3*" Fig. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

IVhile -the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, I have shown inthe drawings and Will N herein describe in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to be kunderstood that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the 'specific form disclosed, but intend to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling Within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. y

Referring more particularly to the drawings, I have for purposes of illustration shown the invention embodied in a condenser' of the coil type which is adapted to be used advantageously in an ammonia con'ipression refrige `atin g system. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limit-ed to i" the particular type of condenser employed or to the speciic'refrigerant used.

In the `preferred form, the condenser co1nprises a plurality of fiat sinuous coil units 10-15 which are disposed vertically in closely spaced parallel relation. The upper' ends of the units 10-15 constitute the inlet ends, and for purposesof distribution are suitably connected to a manifold 17 in turn adapted to be connected through a pipe 18 to a gas l compressor (not shown). The lower ends of the units 1015 discharge to a header 16 adapted to be connected through a liquid discharge pipe 19 to a suitable liquidreceiver 26.

Preferably Water isused as the cooling me- (lll dium, and means is provided for causing the water to pass downwardly over the coil units. To this end, a plurality of Water pans 20-25 are mounted over the respective units along the top pipes. Each of these pans is adapted to receive water from any suitable source (not shown), and has a perforated bottom wall 27 for discharging the Water to theitop of the unit. A suitable drip pan 28 extends blow the units 10-15 in position to catch the water dripping from the lower ends thereof. The construction thus far described is .old and well known, and taken by itself forms no part of the presen-t invention. If this construction alone were used, gas would enter the top pipes of the units 10TH) in Aa highly -superheated condition. Due to the high temperature dilference between the gas and the cooling medium .at this point, the V7,cooling action in .the :top pipes would be very Factive and most or practically all of the superheat in the gas would be removed. As a result, the cooling action in the lower pipes Y perheat.

would be sluggish, and unless the condenser were extensive in area, the gas would .not be liquefied expeditiously or completely.

An important feature of the present invention resides in utilizing any unliqueied gas from a lower portionV and preferably the lower end of the condenser to :absorb the high head of heat in the incoming gas so as not to place such a high load on the top portion of each condenser .unitbut on Vthe contrary to distribute the load more uniformlyv over the entire condenser. To this end; a 4vertical partitionwall E29 is provided in the manifold 17, and divides the latter into two vsubstant-ially equal longitudinal chambers L3() and 8l, The supply pipe 18 Vopen-s to the chamber r3G. and thevinlet ends of the .coil units 10e-1.5 open from the side of the chamber '31. V.Suitaioly mounted in and opening through the partition wall 29 are a plurality of injector nozA zles 82, one for each coil unit. The injector nozzles extend a shortA distance into the inlet .'ids of the coil unit-s, but in spaced relation to the walls thereof `so as .to define annular spaces for the intake of gas from the chamber 3l. Branching upwardly from the llower ends of the coil units l() to l5 are a plurality of riser pipes 313-38, the upper ends of which open to the chamber 3l.

ln operation, the incoming gas which usually is highly superheated is discharged from the chamber 30 through lthe nozzles 32 into the coil units 10-15 thereby producing a relatively low pressure in the chamber 3l and the pipes 553-88.' As a result, cooled unliquelied gas from the discharge ends of these units is .drawn 'upwardly into the man1- fold lf? and then into the inlet ends of the coil units where it is intermingled with the superheated gas, and serves to absorb the su- The cool recirculated gas thus materially reduces thetemperature of the gas mixture, and therefore the initial temperature head between the mixture and the cooln ing medium. Hence, the excessive load, nor* mally on the top portion of the condenser and serving to increase substantially the initial temperature of the cooling medium, is eliminated, a-nd the cooling action is active and more nearly uniform throughout the entire length of the condenser. No lazy areas eX- ist. I have found that condensers construct- Aed in accordance'fwith my invention can be in Figs. .l and 2, and cor-responding parts :are

therefore identifiedA -by .like reference Lcharacters. VIn the modified form, a plurality of spaced .depending supplemental supply pipes 39-44, one foreach of the coils l0-l5, open from the chamber 30. Each of these pipes is adapted to ybe connected with the adjacentcondenser coil at one o1' more intermedia-te points along the latter. In the present instance, each yof the pipes 39-44 -is connected through a plurality of branch pipes 45 re-` spectively to the lower legs ofthe adjacent bends of the refrigerant coil. The branch pipes 45 open to the coil in the direction of flow, and preferably are provided respectiv.e-ly,with restricted discharge nozzles 46.

It. will be evident that each of the pipes 45 with the nozzles 46 constitutes an injector which. is effective to boost the pressure in the -f coil, at an intermedlate point, .and to induce Y the ,downward flow of refrigerant. The speedof iiow through thel .condenser thus is increased and the normal pressure .drop from the top to -thebottom is substantially fdiminished. By reason `of the relatively higher pressure which will exist in the header 16 as a result of these successive boosts, a greater pressure drop from the header 16 through the chamber 31 to the primary inlet 'of the coil will exi-st, and hence a greater flow vof gas through the riser tubes will result. In general, the rate of flow through the condenser' will Ybe increased, and the load will be Adistributed still more uniformly through vthe entire length. y Y

I claim as my invention Y l. A condenser comprising, in combination, a plurali-ty of fiat sinuous cooling coils vertically arranged in `parallel spaced relation, a closed cylindrical manifold extending transf versel,7 of said coils, a longitudinalvertical partition in said manifold and defining two separated chambers therein, a line for .sup-

plyingrgas to one of said chambers, riser lines branchingV from the discharge ends of l'lO said coils and opening tothe other of saidv Y chambers, the inlet .ends .of said coils opening to the side of said other chamber, and a plurality of taperedv injector nozzles mounted in isa las

and opening through said partition, the free ends of said nozzles extending through said other chamber in spaced relation into the inlet ends of said coils.

2. A condenser comprising, in combination, a plurality of vertical cooling coils, a closed elongated manifold extending transversely of said coils, a longitudinal partition in said manifold and defining two separated chambers therein, a line for supplying gas to one of said chambers, riser lines branching from the discharge ends of said coils and opening to the other of said chambers, the inlet ends oi' said coils opening to said other chamber, and a plurality of injector nozzles mounted in and opening through said partition, the free ends of said nozzles extending through said other chamber in spaced relation into the inlet ends of said coils.

3. A condenser comprising, in combination, a plurality of vertical cooling coils, a manifold, a partition in said manifold and defining two separated chambers therein, a line :tor supplying gas to one of said chambers, lines branching from the lower portions ot' said coils and opening to the other of said chambers, the inlet ends of said coils opening to said other chamber, and a plurality of gas supply means mounted in and opening through said partition, the free ends of said means extending through said other chamber in spaced relation into the inlet ends of said coils.

4. A condenser comprising, in combination, a plurality of cooling units, a manifold extending transversely of said units, a longitudinal partition in said manifold and deiining two separated chambers therein, a line for supplying gas to one of sai'd chambers, means branching from the discharge of said unitsand opening to the other of said chambers :for supplying uncondensed gas thereto, the inlets of said units opening to said other chamber` and a plurality of injector nozzles opening from said first eliamber through said other chamber in spaced relation into the inlets ot' said units.

A condenser comprising, in combination. a plurality ot cooling units each having an inlet end and a discharge end, means for sujiplying gas to said inlet ends, and means for supplying gas from said discharge ends to said inlet ends.

(i. A condenser comprising, in combination, a flat vertically disposed sinuous cooling coil, means for discharging a cooling medium over the top of said coil, a first gas chamber communicating with the inlet end of said coil, a riser pipe branching from the discharge end of said coil and opening to the bottom of said chamber, a second gas chamber, and a discharge nozzle opening from said second chamber through said rst chamber in spaced relation into the inlet end of said coil.

7. A condenser comprising, in combination, a vertically disposed cooling coil, means for discharging a cooling medium onto said coil, a gas chamber communicating with the inletend of said coil, a pipe branching from the lower portion of said coil and opening to said chamber, anda discharge nozzle openingthrough said chamber in spaced relation into the inlet end of said coil.

8. A condenser comprising, in combination, a cooling unit having an upper inlet end and a lower discharge end, means for cooling said unit, a chamber communicating with said inlet end, a line connecting a lower portion of said unit to said chamber, and means extending throughsaid chamber in spaced relation into said inlet end for discharging gas thereto. f

9. A condenser comprising, in combination, a vertical coil having an inlet end at the top and a discharge end at the bottom, a branch riser line connecting said ends, and means for injecting gas under pressure into said inlet end, whereby unliquefied gas in said disrifharge end is drawn upwardly through said line into said inlet end and mingled with the injected gas.

l0. A condenser comprising, in combination a vertical cooling unit having a gas inlet and a liquid discharge, a cross line connecting a point near said inlet of said unit with a point near said discharge, and means for supplying gas under pressure into said inlet,

whereby unliqueiied gas from said unit will be drawn through said line into said inlet and mingled with the pressure gas.

l1. A condenser comprising, in combina tion, means defining heat exchange surfaces for transferring heat from a medium to be cooled to a cooling medium, means for supplying gas to said first mentioned means, liquid discharge means for said first mentioned means, and means for automatically injecting gas from said discharge means into the incoming gas.

l2. A condenser comprising, in combination, heat exchange means defining a closed path for the gas and its condensate, said means having a primary inlet at one end of said path and a discharge at the other end of said path and having a plurality of supplemental inlets at intermediate points alongr said path and opening in the direction of flow, means for supplying gas to said inlets, means for removing liquid from said discharge, andmeaus for returning gas from said discharge to said primary inlet to mingle with the incoming gas.

13. A `condenser comprising, in .combination,heat exchange means defining a closed path for the gas and its condensate, said means having a primary inletat one end of said path and a discharge at the other end of said path and having a plurality of supplemental inlets at intermediate points along opening from said one chamber,

saidpath and opening inthe direction offlo'w, means forsupplying gas to said inlets, and means for removing liquidiiromsaid d-is charge. 'f Y 1li. A condensercomprising, in combination, a plurality of fla-t sinuous cooling coils vertically yarranged in parallel spaced relation, a closed lcylindrical manifold extending transversely of said coils, a longitudinal partition in said manifold deiiningtwo chambers therein, a l-ine for supplying gas to one of said chambers, riser lines branching from the discharge ends of said coils and opening tothe other of'said chambers, the inlet ends ,I et said coils opening to the side ot said other chamber, a plurality of injector nozzles opening from said one chamber through said partition into the inlet ends of said coils, a plural-ity of depending lines one for each coil and a plurality of branch supply'lines opening from each depending line to the lovver legs of the adjacent bends in yeach coil, and discharging thereto in the direction of flow.

15. A condenser comprising, in combination, a cooling unit disposed in a generally vertical position, means 'for supplying a condensiblegas to the upper end-oi' said unit, supplemental means for supplying said gas to intermediate points along Vsaid unit, and means-for recirculating u-nliquefied gas Vfrom the lower portion -oi saidxunit to the upper portion of said yunit.

16. A condenser comprising, in combination, a flat vertically disposed sinuous cooling coil, means-for discharging a cooling medium over the top of said coil, a iirst gas chamber communicating With the inlet end of said coil, a riser pipe branching from the discharge end of said coil and opening to the bottom of saidcliamber, a second gas chamber, a discharge Vnozzle opening from said second gas chamber through said iirst chan ber into said inlet end of said coil, and discharge means for connecting said second gas chamber to said coil at a plurality'of intermediate spaced points along its length.

17. A- condenser comprising, in combination, a vertically 'disposed ,cooling coil, means for discharging a cooling medium over said coil, a gas chamber communicating with theinlet :end .of said coil, a pipe branching fromthe discharge portion of said coil and opening to said chamber, injector means in communi-cation With said chamber for supplying gas under pressureinto said inlet end of saidcoil, .and supplemental injector means for supplying gas under pressure to said coil at an intermediate pointand in the direction of flown-f 18. A kcondenser comprising, in combination, .a lcooling unit deiininga closed path, means for supplying a Ygesunder pressure to the inlet Vend of' said unit, and ,supplemental injector means orsupplying gas under pressure to said un-it at an'intermedi'ate ,point in :sai-d path, said injector means ljd-ischarging generally in thedirection of flow along said path.

19. Fernse in a condenser comprising a cooling unit having an inlet at one end and a discharge at the other end, the methodof condensing Va gas whichl consists in supplye ing superheated gas to said inlet, abstracting heat from said gas in the course oits passage through said unit to condense a substantial portion of said gas, and injecting gas from-the cooled uncondensed portion into said inlet to vabsorb the high head of 'hea in the incoming superheated gas. f 20. A condenser comprising, in combination, means defining heat exchange surfaces for transferring heat 'from a medium to be cooled to a cooling medium, mea-ns for supplying gas to sai'cl=iirst mentioned means, liquid discharge means for said :first mentioned means, and means for automatically recirculating uncondensed gas from a relatively cold region in said 'firstvmentioned means back to a relatively hot region in sai-d first mentioned means. v

21. A condenser comprising, .in combination, heat exchange means -deiining a closed path for the gas and its condensate, -said means having a primary inlet at one'end of said 'path and a `discharge at the other end of saidpath and havingasupplemental inlet at an intermediate point along said path, means orsupplying gas to said inlets, and means for removing liquid from said discharge. f y i 22. For use in acondenser comprising a cooling medium having an inlet atene end and a discharge at the other end, the method of condensinga gas which consists in supplying superheated gas to said inlet, abstracting heat romsaid gas inthe course of :its passage through saidunit to condense a substantial portion of said gas, and introducing by recirculation Auncondensed gas from a pointv of relatively-10W temperature into the gas at a point of relatively higher tempera- J- I Y tine.

In testimonywhereof, I

iixed mysignature. r

' GEORGE VHILGrER.

have hereunto af- 

